Outtakes from WEEF GEDC 2022

Under the theme “Adapting to Global Disruption,” last week’s World Engineering Education Forum and Global Engineering Deans Council event drew 350 leaders in engineering education from around the world to discuss key issues, challenges and opportunities. Topics included: diversity and inclusion, micro-credential frameworks, employability skills, empathy and humanitarian engineering, geopolitical challenges, and the future of engineering education.?

Keynotes discussed digital transformation, accelerating innovation and new practices to scale. Global competencies in engineering were debated against a backdrop of regional data showing the highest percent of youth population in Africa, followed by Latin America (PIC). Siemens South Africa CEO Sabine Dall'Omo spoke to “Engineering Education in Africa beyond 4IR”, noting the high unemployment (33%) in the region particularly among youth (65%) and efforts to engage for positive impact, such as the UN supported African Girls Can Code Initiative.?

Ruth Graham outlined the key takeaways from her research on the impact of COVID-19 on global practices in engineering education, including new insights in active learning & team teaching, broader assessment practices, inclusive evidence-based policymaking and the role of campus community. Definitely check the full report.

Professor Theo van Niekerk of Nelson Mandela University showcased the role of digital twins in education to improve the digital mindset and skillset of future engineers from product requirements to production and automation. His students leverage NX Mechatronics Concept Designer in a multi-disciplinary engineering approach that breaks down barriers between electrical, mechanical and automation.??

Diversity sessions provided opportunities for courageous conversations. Dr. Renetta Garrison Tull is a wealth of knowledge, experience and inspiration. She shared insights on D&I at UC Davis, some captured in this NAE article on diversity as the 15th Grand Challenge. Also noted Authentic Experiences in STEM to cultivate interest and competencies in computing.

In our panel Belonging Transforms, we discussed creating a true sense of belonging and culture of dialog. We discussed caste systems, quotas, country transformation policies, cross cutting affinity programs, implementation via middle management (including parents). Aliki Pappas shared this inspiration: “imagine if your measure of success was how others feel in your presence.” We learned a lot from South African peers on their historical struggles. Female deans discussed the glass cliff from taking on high risk roles. I was honored to meet several of the authors from IFEES Rising to the Top series and hear more about their personal journeys. Their stories of courage and persistence inspire the current and future generation. Rising star and environmental engineer and student leader María Laura Polo González challenged us to ensure the next generation has freedom of choice in their career, are recognized for their position not gender, have partners who supports home needs equally and move beyond tokenism. (Learn more from Maria Laura in the previous podcast we recorded on Promoting Student Involvement.)

Stay tuned for more diversity stories shortly on the GEDC Diversity award finalists and winner.?

There was heightened focus on engineering as a platform for social change particularly to address climate change. Calls to action focused on this next decade to avert catastrophe. With efforts like Peace Engineering, ecoinvent, and our own Skills for Sustainability network, the resources are there for curriculum upgrades and student engagement to drive societal impact.

It's been interesting to watch the past few years discussion on micro-credentials. Our own Jennifer Bradford highlighting their value and impact and challenging skeptics in apanel discussion. Other industry colleagues reinforced the need for lifelong learning like Boeing’s Michael Fors, Ph.D. who emphasized “degrees are not the only currency” and we need “ongoing/lifecycle learning vs. one-time degrees.”

The event ended with an engaging GEDC Industry Forum, which focuses on turning insight into action. Academia and industry change agents collaborated on four themes – skills & talent, educational transformation, discovery & innovation and societal impact. Check out this brief summary including podcast synopses for each theme. Thank you to Kirsten Williamson , Dominic Sproston and the GEDC for another very interactive event. Previous ones led to some of the content and credential collaborations we provide today. I particularly loved that the judges of our industry-academic solutions were students who provided great feedback and recommendations for the path forward.?

Special thanks to Sunil Maharaj?and the whole planning committee for making this such an insightful and inspirational program, especially Deborah Blaine. Also thank you to our local colleague Tommie Chambers for all his engagement and support of engineering education in South Africa and championing digital twins for education.

Finally I took this picture of this lighthouse mural on a building in Cape Town and find it the best analogy for what WEEF GEDC events represent and do. They shine a light on the people and programs that are driving change in engineering education so we all can learn and scale what they’ve begun.?

Join us next year in Monterrey, Mexico!